Three dimensional family tree or relationship system with photo and plaque

ABSTRACT

This invention is a block which holds a picture and or a plaque. This block can be connected to another block by tubular members which are inserted vertically into the blocks allowing them to rotate 360-degrees. It is essential that the blocks be able to move in this way to allow for balanced and uncluttered appearance. These blocks can each represent a family member and be arranged by family relationship. Parents connect to children and children connect to grandchildren and so on. A relationship that can not be shown can be written on the plaque. In business, the president could be connected to the vice presidents, and vice presidents could be connected to the managers and so on.

CROSS REFERENCE RELATED PATENTS

[0001] 4483680 Daly Nov. 20, 1984 434/154 1058859 Gray April 15, 1913 (papersystem) 699799 Guild May 13, 1902 (paper system) 4501559 Griswold Feb. 26, 1985 434/154 D133068 Ort July 15, 1942 (plaque) D147388 Walirer Aug. 26, 1947 D29/24 D159444 Riley July 25, 1950 D29/23 D214733 Jones-Fenlei July 22, 1969 D11/02 4375288 Guertin March 1, 1983 273/273 D273312 Guertin Oct. 23, 1984 D21/337 D427938 Berg July 11, 2000 D11/134 265643 Smith Aug. 3, 1982 4650422 Gorczynski March 19, 1987 434/154 2593195 Rosenberg April 15, 1952 40/152 4794716 George Jan. 3, 1989 40/158.1 5246374 Boodram Sept. 21, 1993 434/154 705833 Gee July 29, 1902 (chain) 1297663 Davis March 18, 1919 (mobile) 4865548 Snyder Sept 12, 1989 434/154

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEACH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention pertains to education and demonstration. More specifically, it is a display of ones family tree.

[0005] There are paper charts and organizers that track genealogical data and information. They become crowded or unbalanced if one couple has many children. They require long lines onto other pages to connect to the next family member. Also, you can not add in-laws, they do not make good decorative displays, and they do not have pictures, 4483680 Daly Nov. 20, 1984, 1058859 Gray Apr. 15, 1913, 699799 Guild May 13, 1902, 4501559 Griswold Feb. 26, 1995.

[0006] There are many designs for wall plaques, D133068, D147388, D159444, D214733. These wall plaques do not hold pictures, engraved names, or show family positions.

[0007] There are games to teach children about family relationships. In this game board, 4375288 Guertin Mar. 1, 1983, D2733112 Guertin Oct. 23, 1984, there is only a picture of a tree, with pictures of couples around the outside. It stands by itself, but is a single two-dimensional piece. No family connections are shown on the tree. The game teaches how to investigate your heritage. The pictures are not of your own family.

[0008] There are family tree name plaques, D427938 Berg Jul. 11, 1900, 265643 Smith Aug. 3, 1982. The first of these is a wall hanging, and does not show family relationships. The second contains small plaques for family members, but not all relationships are shown, it can not be expanded, and neither invention contains pictures.

[0009] The three-dimensional doll house, 4650422 Gorczynski Mar. 17, 1987, shows family connections by hanging baskets from a branch, and then splitting the branch into two branches with each holding baskets. There are dolls which can occupy the baskets. The pieces have a predetermined place, so many relationships cannot be shown. Also, the dolls are not actual members of your own family. This can be for teaching children about relationships.

[0010] U.S. Pat Class 40 has many styles of picture frames, 2593195 Rosenberg Apr. 15, 1952, 4794716 George Jan. 3, 1989. None of them are close to this invention. There is a kit of picture frames made up of leaves and hearts that connect to show many of the possible family relationships, 5246374 Boodram Sep. 21, 1993. This invention is primarily for displaying pictures in their position of the family and in the form of a real plant. Secondly, it displays the pictures in family groups with marriages in a heart and children as the leaves, but it is difficult to show other relationships, like in-laws, divorces, children from other marriages or adoptions. Third, this invention is primarily of two-dimensional wall hanging or putting family groups in a flowerpot. It is not made to stand on its own, and it does not contain the name or birthdate of the individuals pictured.

[0011] The geneology chain, 705833 Gee Jul. 29, 1902, is similar but has no pictures and does not stand on its own. The family tree mobile, 1297663 Davis Mar. 18, 1919, can show many family relationships, including dates of birth, marriage and death, however it does not display pictures of the person and is for hanging only.

[0012] Finally, there is the three-dimensional genealogical display, 4865548 Snyder Sep. 12, 1989, which stands like a set of shelves. This invention is capable of holding a great number of markers which represent family members. It can easily show in-laws and their ancestors. Each marker is connected to its parents and children. But, this invention does not show photos or birthdates of the family members, and this invention must be of large enough size to make it useful. This invention is primarily used to show positions in the family for many generations or large families.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is the object of this invention to be able to show any family relationship to an individual. Prior art was limited in what relationships could be shown. This invention can show divorces, adoptions, foster parents, group homes, in-laws, and anything else which a family or group would like to show.

[0014] Where prior art was of paper charts, photos, plaques, or position in the family, this new invention combines together photos, plaques, and physical connections that show position in a family.

[0015] Each individual unit of the structure has its own block. This block has space for a picture, text or both. Said block also contains many more connections than previous inventions. Said blocks can be connected together to show marriage or separated to show separations and divorce. Said block can be connected to any block to which it has a relationship by tubular members.

[0016] This invention is primarily for decorative home display of family members, but it could have uses in the business world as an office decoration, or organization study device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1. A single block.

[0018]FIG. 2. Two blocks closely connected, a marriage or partnership.

[0019]FIG. 3. How to connect blocks with connector.

[0020]FIG. 4. This shows how a married but separated couple could have a block between them.

[0021]FIG. 5. Many blocks connected together.

[0022]FIG. 6. Possible base for the structure.

[0023]FIG. 7. Possible base for the structure.

[0024]FIG. 8. Many blocks connected together sitting on a base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0025]FIG. 1 shows the basic block, which could hold a drawing or picture, and or an engraved plaque with text on the front or back of the block. This block has holes drilled vertically on the top and bottom edges for attaching to other blocks via tubular members. Blocks can be made with more holes as necessary. The block can be attached directly to another block by its vertical edge. The vertical edge connection could be by tongue and groove joint as shown, by short tubular members, by glue, or by any other means. This connection should be made in such a way that the blocks are touching each other to show a very close relationship (FIG. 2).

[0026] Connections between blocks are made via tubular members of varying lengths. These tubular members are to be inserted into the holes along the top and bottom edges of the block. FIG. 3, shows the form of tubular members and suggests how they attach to blocks. They attach by being inserted into the holes of the block. Once attached, the tubular construction allows for 360-degree rotation of either block. This is essential to reduce crowding and preserve balance of the structure.

[0027] If a couple is separated, but they still have children, a block can be placed in-between the couple to hold the children (FIG. 4).

[0028] The structure should be placed in a base to keep it from falling over. The base could be very simple, like in FIG. 6. Or, the base could be very ornamental or structural like in FIG. 7.

[0029]FIG. 5 shows many blocks connected in a single structure, and FIG. 8 shows many blocks connected in a single structure on a base

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] Construction of the blocks could be of any solid material which can have engraved plates attached to the front and back, and a number of holes drilled in the top and bottom to have elongated members inserted. The blocks should be sufficiently light, so that more members can be put on the structure. The blocks should be finished in a way that is presentable for display in a home.

[0031] The elongated members should be sufficiently strong to hold the weight of many blocks without bending out of shape. The elongated members should be attractive enough to be a part of the entire display.

[0032] The base could be any object capable of holding the bottom block so it does not fall. It could take the shape of a building, a tree, a person, a car, or any object desired.

[0033] This three-dimensional system is the truest representation of the real life relationships possible in a family or group. Any relationship can be represented or actually named on the plaque if need be (i.e. adopted children, or in business use, dept).

[0034] For family use, this could mean FIG. 5. starting with the oldest (or youngest) known relative 2 and adding a block for the spouse 3 (beside, connected). Next, four children have been added by connecting blocks to the parents. The child on the left 4 is married. The spouse 5 is connected to the right of the child. The next child to the right 6 is divorced, and the couple had one child 7. The next child to the right 8 is divorced, and the couple has one child 9, and is remarried 10. The next child to the right 11 is divorced, and the couple had one child 12, and is remarried 14, and their new spouse 14 also has a child 15 from a previous marriage. Because of the way people are placed in the structure, they could be instantly seen as son, nephew, grandson, brother, half brother etc, the moment their block is put into place. Ancestors of spouses would extend upward or downward from the spouse. This structure can easily show separations, divorces, and children from different parents. If the structure can not easily show a relationship, it can be written on the plaque FIG. 1 item 1.

[0035] For business use, start with the president or leader, connect to each vice president, connect to each in the next level of command and so on. A school system could place the superintendent at the bottom. To the superintendent, connect the five area superintendents. To each area superintendent, connect three blocks, one for high schools, one for middle schools, and one for elementary schools and so on.

[0036] When you see your block connected in place, you gain a new appreciation for who and what are around you. You feel like you are an important part of something bigger.

[0037] An ancestral tree would start with an individual at the bottom and branch upward to parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and so on. 

I claim:
 1. A three dimensional system for displaying relationships between people or entities comprising: a) a block for each entity; b) tubular members for connecting blocks; c) a base of any form which can support a block and keep the structure from falling.
 2. claim 1 above wherein the block can hold a picture mounted to its front or back.
 3. claim 1 above wherein the block can hold an engraved plaque on its front or back.
 4. claim 1 above wherein the block can be connected to other blocks directly at its vertical edge so those blocks are touching.
 5. claim 1 above wherein the block can be connected by tubular members which enter holes vertically at the top or bottom of the block.
 6. claim 1 above wherein tubular members connect to blocks allowing blocks to rotate completely.
 7. The method to connect blocks together to show any family relationship as follows: a) a spouse is connected directly to the vertical edge of the block; b) a child is connected by tubular member to any one hole in the parent block when the parents are together; c) a separation can be shown by connecting a block between the parents, and the children to said block by tubular member; d) a divorce is shown by disconnecting the couple's blocks at the vertical edge; e) a child is connected by tubular member to a hole in each of the parent blocks when the parents are divorced or never married; f) a second spouse is connected to the other vertical edge of the living spouse; g) in-laws are connected to the spouse's block by tubular members, and not to the blood or adopted family member's block; h) other relationships can be written on the plaque or shown another way. 